Arsenal must learn from Guardiola rant to avoid slipping up again in title race

Arsenal's title hopes suffered a big blow with their surprise defeat to Aston Villa at the Emirates last weekend.

The Gunners found themselves displaced from top spot after goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins ensured Manchester City's win over Luton put them in the driving seat. Pep Guardiola's side have a two-point advantage over Arsenal and Liverpool heading into the final six matches of the season.

It is the second season in succession that the north London side have manoeuvred their way into Premier League contention. Last term saw Arsenal falter as City once again set a relentless pace on the way to the title.

With City finding themselves in first place for the first for the first time since November, the pressure has ramped up on Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp's sides. Frustration could already be filtering into the Arsenal camp.

Villa forward Watkins suggested, during their match at the Emirates at least, that the Gunners' body language told a story. The 28-year-old believes that his side were boosted by Arsenal's mannerisms.

Watkins: “We could see from their body language that they were getting tired and definitely getting frustrated and I think we used that as momentum and motivation really.”

Much has been made of Arsenal's inexperience in earning league success in comparison to Manchester City. Guardiola has previously seen his side risk falling into a similar pitfall however.

Following a Carabao Cup defeat to Southampton last term, Guardiola unleashed a scything rant in the dressing room. The former Barcelona boss had some simple advice.

Arsenal surrendered top spot after defeat against Aston Villa ( Image: PA)

He told his team in January 2023: "Honestly, do you think it's normal what today we have done? For this